Electrically actuated sounding doll with illuminating means



June 1955 J. GIORDANO 3,190,037

ELECTRICALLY ACTUA'I'ED SOUNDING- DOLL WITH ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed Oct. 17, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

J1mwar/ BY I J. GIORDANO ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED SOUNDING DOLL WITH ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed Oct. 17, 1962 June 22, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS GIORDANO ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED SOUNDING DOLL WITH ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed Oct. 17, 1962 June 22, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,190,623! ELECTRECALLY ACTUATEB StItUNDlNG DQLlL WHTH ILLUWNATHNG MEANS Julius Giordano, 924 Cross Ave, *lizabeth, Nd. Filed Get. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 231,111 16 Claims. (Cl. 46-227) This invention relates generally to a doll-like toy which simulates lifelike actions. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a toy doll which simulates the actions of crying and reddening of the face of the doll when the doll is positioned in a particular manner.

The object of the present invention is to provide a doll like toy which can simulate the living actions of crying and reddening of the face.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a toy doll in humanized form, which will simulate a crying action at any predetermined time, depending upon the doll being in a predetermined position.

This invention also has as an object the provision of a toy doll which illuminates the face portion to simulate reddening of the face and emits sounds to simulate crying only during a preselected period and while the toy doll is in a preselected position, such as on its back.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of gravity means which control the reddening of the face and the crying actions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gravity means which mechanically prevents crying sounds from being produced by obstructing the flow of air through the crying means.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a crying means which is positioned angularly with respect to the body of the toy doll, in order that the gravity means will mechanically prevent the crying sound when the doll is sitting up, standing up, or lying on its stomach.

These and other objects will be clearly understood after a careful review of the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 1

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing the invention in an embodiment .of a humanized form;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the interior of the toy doll, showing the operating parts in their relationship to the body shown in phantom lines;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the invention shown in FIGURE 2, partly in section, and partly broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a view of the crying means and operating cam in their extended position;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, showing the crying means in its most retracted position;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic electrical diagram of the circuit utilized according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the toy doll is designated by the numeral 11). The doll is provided with a hollow body 12, having a head 1 and a torso 16. The doll is preferably made of one of the common plastics presently used for toys, but of course maybe made of any materials such as wood, metal or rubber to satisfy a particular purpose.

The principal operating parts of the present invention include the timer 18, the crying means 2%, and the illuminating means 22, all of which may be suitably secured either to the dolls body, as shown, or to each other, also shown, by any suitable securing means, the manner of securing not being important.

The timer 18 is any conventional set of timing gearsand need not be explained in detail--which are operated by a key 2 1 through a shaft 26, in order that the timer may be set for any predetermined period of time.

Suitably located above the timer is the illuminating means, which includes a support arm 23 and a cross arm 30, suitably secured at the upper end of the support arm, which supports a lamp 32. The lamp is designed to be positioned towards the face of the head 14, as shown in FIGURE 3, and also at a point slightly below the eyes, in order that the illuminating effect which causes the reddening of the face to appear at the cheek portion of the head may more closely simulate the lifelike action of the face reddening. The lamp 32 may be red colored, or the coloring of the head port-ion of the body may be colored, in order to give the reddening eifect.

Pivotally secured to the upper end of the support arm 23, at 34, is a gravity operated eccentrically mounted weight 36, having at its uppermost end an electrical contact 33, designed to make electrical contact with lamp 32, as shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 3. Suitable leads 4% and 42 are connected respectively to the contact 38 and lamp 32. These leads are maintained on the support arm 28 in any convenient manner, as shown at 44.

The timer .18 includes a rear housing 46, which receives a source of electric energy such as the dry cell batteries 8.

The timer 18 includes a stationary contact plate Eli, which is provided with a contact element. 52, extending radially from the timer shaft 26. Secured to the timer shaft 26, for rotation with the timer relative to the stationary contact plate Ed, is a rotary contact plate 54, carrying on its underside, facing stationary contact plate 51 a contact element 56. Contact element st of the rotary contact plate 54 is electrically connected to tae batteries by lead 5'8. Lead 42 is connected to the other side of the batteries, while lead as is connected to the contact element 52 of the stationary contact plate 5th. The extent of contact between elements 52 and 56 is determined by the radial angle and width respectively along with the speed of rotation of the rotary contact plate 54. It has been determined that a five minute interval between the first contact of the elements 52 and 56 to the break ing of the circuit is satisfactory for the purpose of the invention. Such a period of time may subtend an arc of movement of the rotary contact plate of approximately 10 to 20 degrees.

Secured in any suitable manner below the timer by support 6%, as for example to the housing 46, is the crying means 2d. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the crying mechanism is composed of a motor 62, ecured to a base plate 64, which is affixed to the support 60. A cylindrical or tubular member as is also affixed to the base plate 64. The tubular member is closed by a cap 63, which has sides 7% extending into the tubular member, and is designed to fit tightly against the tubular member so that there will be no relative movement. The sides 70 at their innermost end are provided with a lip or flange 72, which is directed radially inwardly. The cap 63 is perforated with a number of holes 74, and the interior of the cap includes a plug 76 which may be made of any suitable material, such as hard rubber. Aii'ixed to the end of the tubular member 66, remote from the cap, is a flexible bellows 73, which is secured in any suitable manner to the tubular member, as at The bellows is connected at its upper end 82 to a cross arm 84. Movement of the cross arm in a direction axially of the tubular member extends and contracts the bellows 78.

A C shaped plate 86, best shown in FIGURE 6, is secured to the rear face of the base plate 64%. Secured to the rear flanges 8-3 of the C-shaped plate 86 are runner rails 96?, which retain the bellows extender arm 92. As best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the arm 92 is provided with an enclosed opening as. which receives an eccentrically mounted cam 36, fixedly mounted on drive wheel 9%. At the outer periphery of the drive wheel S 8 is secured a friction material 1%, such as rubber. The motor 62, having a drive shaft lltiZ, engages the friction material 109 on the drive wheel F5 to effect movement of the drive wheel, and in turn the cam 95, and thereby movement of the arm 92 in the runner rails 96 for ultimate movement of the bellows to an extended and contracted position. The motor is operated through lead 1%, which is connected to the same side of the batteries as lead 42, and another lead M35, which is connected to the contact element 52.

The movement of the bellows to extended and con tracted positions normally causes a flow of air into and out of the tubular member 66. To effect a simulated crying sound, there is provided a slidable weight 108, which moves freely within the tubular element and is in slidable engagement with the sides '70 of the cap. A diaphragm M0 is extended across the face of the slidable weight 1% and is provided with an opening lllll in its face, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the plug id, as best shown in FIGURE 3. The slide weight is provided with passageway 114, which is in gaseous communication with passageway 116, in which are secured reed members 1 18. Thus, by operation of the bellows '7 8 by means of the motor 62, air will be induced to flow in and out of perforations or holes 74 in cap d8, through opening "1'12 and passageways T14 and 116, to reeds 118 to make the crying sound.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, the support 6t extends at an angle from the axis of the body 12. This angle is illustrated at approximately 45 however, the particular angle is not critical. The purpose of offsetting the axis of the crying mechanism from the axis of the body is to control the operation of the crying mechanism, such that the slidable weight 1% will move Within the cap 68 to the point at which plug 75 contacts diaphragm ll-1i When this occurs, the fluid communication through the crying mechanism is prevented, and thereby no air will be transmitted through the reeds, and hence no crying sound will be emitted. The weight 1% will prevent any sound from being emitted, even if the bellows 78 is operating. Thus, when the doll is in an upright position, similar to that shown in FIGURE 3, the slidable weight Will drop down into contact with the plug, thus preventing any possibility of a crying sound. Because of the particular angle of the crying means relative to the axis of the body, as shown, the doll, when positioned on its stomach, will also permit the movement of the weight 1% to effect a contact between the diaphragm lllll and plug 76. Therefore, according to the present invention, the crying sound will be stopped, when the doll is placed on its stomach or raised in an upright position, due to the operation of the sliding weight. The timer 18 may of course be set for any particular time interval before electrical contact is made between the elements 52 and 56 on the stationary contact plate 563 and rotary contact plate 54. Since contact does take place, the lamp 32 will light when the doll is in horizontal position on its back, since in this position the electrical contact with the lamp will be made, due to the gravity control eccentric weight 36. At the same time, with the doll in this position, the motor 62 will be energized and the simulating crying effect will be produced, since the weight will have moved away from the plug, thus permitting free fluid communication through the weight. The simulating crying and reddening of the face, due to the illuminating means 22, will continue as long as the contacts 52 and 56 are touching. As soon as the timer removes the contacts '52 and 56 away from each other, the circuit will be broken and both the crying means and illuminating means will be inoperable; however, the toy doll, according to the present invention, is designed for unique operation during which the full electrical contact is made. During this time, if the doll is raised to a sitting position or turned on its stomach, the eccentric weight 35 will move out of con tact with lamp 32, thus darkening the illuminating means, and at the same time the weight Th8 will slide down to prevent fluid communication through the weight to precut the crying sound. Thus, no sound will be produced, even though motor 62 remains energized and continues to operate the bellows 78, Since the doll is returned to a position on its back, both the illuminating means and the crying means will begin to operate until contacts 52 and 56 are not touching.

Accordingly, it should be clear from the foregoing description that the toy doll is controlled by the gravity operation of weights 1% and 36, which control the simulating living actions of crying and reddening of the face. Each of these living actions will occur only when the doll is on its back.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations, and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art; however, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention, be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at said head end, a simulated crying means including a separate motor means within said body, said crying means being operable by said motor means to cause air flow therethrough and produce a crying sound upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, a source of energy energizing said illuminating means and said motor means, gravity controlled means operable to prevent said air flow when said toy is placed in a second predetermined position.

2. A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and 'a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at said head end, a simulated crying means including a separate motor means within said body, said crying means being operable by said motor means to cause air flow therethrough and produce a crying sound upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminat- 7 ing means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means, said first means operable to prevent said air flow when said toy is placed in a second predetermined position, said second gravity controlled means comprising an eccentrically mounted weight, switch means operable by said weight to control the energizing of said illuminating means.

3. A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at said head end, a simulated crying means within said body operable upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, said crying means including a bellows, a tubular member secured to said bellows, a cry simulating reed positioned within said tubular member, said reed being operable to produce a crying sound upon passage of air through said member and a motor means operable to move said bellows to induce air flow through said member, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminating means and said motor means, at least one gravity controlled means movably positioned within said toy and operable to prevent said air flow when said toy is placed in a predetermined position.

t. The toy of claim 3, wherein said motor means includes an eccentrically mounted cam, an arm mounted on said bellows at one end and operatively connected to said cam at another end.

5. A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at. said head end, a simulated crying means including a separate motor means within said body, said crying means being operable by said motor means to cause air flow therethrough and produce a crying sound upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminating means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means operable to control said illuminating means and prevent said air flow through said crying means when said toy is placed in a second predetermined position.

6. A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at said head end, a simulated crying means including a separate motor means within said body, said crying means being operable by said motor means to cause air flow therethrough and produce a crying sound upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminating means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means operable to control said illuminating means and said crying means when said toy is placed in a predetermined position, said first gravity controlled means comprising an eccentrically mounted weight se-, cured to said toy adjacent said circuit, switch means in said circuit operable by said weight to control the energizing of said illuminating means, said second gravity controlled means including a sliding Weight operable to prevent said air flow and thereby said crying means from producing an audible crying action.

7. A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting eifect at said head end, a simulated crying means within said body operable upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, said crying means including a bellows, a tubular member secured to said bellows, a cry simulating reed positioned within said tubular member, said reed being operable to produce a crying sound upon passage of air through said member and a motor means operable to move said bellows to induce air flow through said member, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminating means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means movably positioned within said toy and operable to control said illuminating means and said crying means when said toy is placed in a predetermined position, said first gravity controlled means comprising an eccentrically mounted weight secured to said toy adjacent said circuit, switch means in said circuit operable by said weight to control the energizing of said illuminating means, said second gravity controlled means including a sliding weight operable to prevent said air flow and hereby said crying means from producing an audible crying action.

8. The toy of claim '7, wherein said sliding weight is positioned within said tubular member and controls gaseous communication through said tubular member to said reed.

A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at said head end, a simulated crying means within said body operable upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, said crying means including a bellows, a tubular member secured to said bellows angularly disposed relative to the axis of the body, a cry simulating reed positioned Within said tubular member, and a motor means operable to move said bellows to induce air flow through said crying means to produce a crying noise, an electrical circuit connecting 6 said illuminating means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means operable to control said illuminating means and said crying means when said toy is placed in a second predetermined position, said first gravity controlled means comprising an eccentrically mounted Weight, switch means operable by said weight to control the energizing of said illuminating means, said second gravity controlled means including a sliding weight positioned within said tubular member and operable to prevent said air flow and thereby said crying means from producing an audible crying action.

it A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at said head end, a simulated crying means including a separate motor means within said body, said crying means being operable by said motor means to cause air flow therethrough and produce a crying sound upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminating means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means operable to control said illuminating means and prevent said air flow through said crying means when said toy is placed in a second predetermined position, a timer means comprising a pair of relatively movable electrical contacts controlling the energizing of said electrical circuit.

11. A toy in lifelike form capable of simulating living actions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means posi tioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting elfect at said head end, a simulated crying means including a separate motor means within said body, said crying means being operable by said motor means to cause air flow therethrough and produce a crying sound upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminating means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means operable to control said illuminating means and said crying means when said toy is placed in a second predetermined position, said first gravity controlled means comprising an eccentrically mounted weight, switch means operable by said weight to control the energizing of said illuminating means, said second gravity controlled means including a sliding weight operable to prevent said air flow and thereby crying means from producing an audible said crying action, a timer means comprising a pair of relatively movable electrical contacts controlling the energizing of said electrical ciractions comprising: a hollow body having a head end and a rear end, a front and a back, illuminating means positioned within said head end operable to create an external lighting effect at said head end, a simulated crying means within said body operable upon said toy assuming a predetermined position, said crying means including a bellows, a tubular member secured to said bellows angularly disposed relative to the axis of the body, a cry simulating reed positioned within said tubular member, and a motor means operable to move said bellows, an electrical circuit connecting said illuminating means and said motor means, first and second gravity controlled means operable to control said illuminating means and said crying means when said toy is placed in a predetermined position, said first gravity controlled means comprising an eccentrically mounted weight, switch means operable by said weight to control the energizing of said illuminating means, said second gravity controlled means including a sliding weight positioned with in said tubular member and operable to prevent said crying means from producing an audible crying action, a timer means comprising a pair of relatively movable electrical contacts controlling the energizing of said electrical circuit.

' 13. The toy of claim 12, including a perforated cap on one end of the tubular member, said cap having a plug extending into said tubular member, a diaphragm extending across one side of said sliding Weight and an opening in said diaphragm closable upon contact with said plug to prevent gaseous communication through said tubular member and said reed.

14. The toy of claim 13, wherein said motor means includes an eccentrically mounted cam, an arm mounted on'said bellows at one end and operatively connected to said cam at another end. 15. The toy of claim 1, wherein said motor means includes an eccentrically mounted cam, said crying means including a bellows, an arm mounted on said bellows at one end and operatively connected to said cam at the other end.

16. The toy of claim 7, including a perforated cap on one end of the tubular member, said cap having a plug extending into said tubular member, a diaphragm extending across one side of said weight and an opening in said diaphragm closable upon contact with said plug to prevent gaseous communication through said tubular member and said reed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,341,985 6/20 Kemp 46-135 1,515,477 11/24 Grubman 46117 2,003,765 6/35 Widen 46-232 2,310,037 2/43 Reno 46-226 2,934,701 4/60 Weisberg et al 307--141 X 2,957,273 10/60 Hughes et a1. 46232 X FOREIGN PATENTS 465,817 1937 Great Britain.

LGUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner.

20 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner. 

1. A TOY IN LIFELIKE FORM CAPABLE OF SIMULATING LIVING ACTIONS COMPRISING: A HOLLOW BODY HAVING A HEAD END AND A REAR END, A FRONT AND A BACK, ILLUMINATING MEANS POSITIONED WITHIN SAID HEAD END OPERABLE TO CREATE AN EXTERNAL LIGHTING EFFECT AT SAID HEAD END, A SIMULATED CRYING MEANS INCLUDING A SEPARATE MOTOR MEANS WITHIN SAID BODY, SAID CRYING MEANS BEING OPERABLE BY SAID MOTOR MEANS TO CAUSE AIR FLOW THERETHROUGH AND PRODUCE A CRYING SOUND UPON SAID TOY ASSUMING A PREDETERMINED POSITION, A SOURCE OF ENERGY ENERGIZING SAID ILLUMINATING MEANS AND SAID MOTOR MEANS, GRAVITY CONTROLLED MEANS OPERABLE TO PREVENT SAID AIR FLOW WHEN SAID TOY IS PLACED IN A SECOND PREDETERMINED POSITION. 